Emergent universe from an unstable de Sitter phase

In the Emergent scenario, the Universe should evolve from a nonsingular state replacing the typical singularity of General Relativity, for any initial condition. For the scalar field model by Ellis and Maartens [Class. Quantum Grav. 21 (2003) 223] we show that only a set of measure zero of trajectories leads to emergence, either from a static state (an Einstein model), or from a de Sitter state. Assuming a scenario based on CDM interacting with a Dark Energy fluid, we show that in general flat and open models expand from a nonsingular unstable de Sitter state at high energies; for some closed models this state is a transition phase with a bounce, other closed models are cyclic. A subset of these models are qualitatively in agreement with the observable Universe, accelerating at high energies, going through a matter-dominated decelerated era, then accelerating toward a de Sitter phase.